1944 WAR MUSEUM, Washington

August 2024
1944_War_Museum
Plenty of people have collections, and while many muse about opening a museum, only a few carry through on that idea. Nathan Pinter, a Sullivan police officer, actually did it, opening The 1944 War Museum in Washington in March. He credits lots of people, including the museum’s board of directors, with helping him make his dream a reality.

Pinter only started collecting World War II items about seven years ago, but his collection grew quickly and soon was overflowing the spare room in his home. The door of opportunity opened when Michelle Leesmann of USA Mortgage in Washington offered the spare suite next door to her High Street office to house the fledgling museum. As word spread, offers of help and donations of items began to pour in from family, friends and friends of friends.

What makes the collection so special is that so many items have a local or regional connection. Many were donated by the families of Franklin County soldiers who brought home souvenirs from their war experiences. Uniforms, guns, knives, a mess kit, medals, jewelry, newspapers, official documents, old photographs, foreign currency, telegrams—there is plenty to ponder when wandering through the exhibits. The collection is displayed according to three regions of the war effort: Europe, the Pacific and the United States.

Among the most moving artifacts are ones with personal touches, such as the trench art made by soldiers from both sides of the conflict, including drawings carved into canteens and other pieces of equipment. The wedding dress of a young soldier’s bride brings wartime romance to life. The most poignant to this visitor is the hand-pieced quilt with blocks for each soldier who enlisted from a small town in Oklahoma. There is an embroidered gold star on the squares of those who paid the ultimate price.

Some visitors might be surprised by the number of Nazi items on display, including a flag with a prominent swastika, but these were artifacts carried home as souvenirs by the victorious soldiers.

Volunteers to work at the museum are welcome, as are donations of wartime memorabilia.

The 1944 War Museum is located at 1380 High Street, Suite 6. Hours are limited and change frequently; check the museum’s Facebook page, The 1944 War Museum, each Sunday to see the coming week’s schedule as well as notice of special events. Admission is free, but contributions are appreciated. The museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and welcomes donations of World War II artifacts. For more information, email WashMo1944@gmail.com.